Ingredients

• 12  slices dry white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
• 2  8-ounce packages cream cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1  cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 12  eggs
• 2  cups milk
• 1/2  cup maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup
•   Blueberry-flavored, maple, or maple-flavored syrup

Directions

1. Place half of the bread cubes over the bottom of a well-buttered 13x9x2-inch baking dish (3-quart rectangular). Sprinkle cream cheese and blueberries over bread cubes. Arrange remaining bread cubes over blueberries.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs with a rotary beater; beat in milk and the 1/2 cup syrup. Carefully pour egg mixture over the bread mixture. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours.

3. Bake, covered, in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake about 25 minutes more or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, and topping is puffed and golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with blueberry-flavored or maple syrup. Makes 8 servings.

*Note: To dry bread slices: Arrange bread in a single layer on a wire rack; cover loosely and let stand overnight. Or cut bread with 1/2-inch cubes; spread in a large baking pan. Bake, uncovered, in a 300 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until dry, stirring twice; cool.